The Toronto Comic Arts Festival is proud to present its official 2016 kick-off event, “The Graphic Novel Revolution, and how it changed comics.” This charged discussion will explore a seismic shift in the comic book industry, the move from single-issue comics to book-length works, and some of the publishers and creators whose careers benefited from this move, and who are now celebrating landmark anniversaries because of this important change!

“The Graphic Novel Revolution” will feature a number of important participaints, including: Conundrum Press Publisher Andy Brown, celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the venerable Canadian publisher; First Second Publisher Mark Siegel, celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the leading graphic novel publisher; Anne Koyama, celebrating the forthcoming 10th Anniversary of Toronto’s own Koyama Press; Brian K. Vaughan, noted author of Saga, Y: The Last Man, and We Stand On Guard, celebrating his 20th Anniversary as a professionally published comic book writer! The evening’s panelists will be interviewed by veteran comics journalist and writer Heidi MacDonald, of Comicsbeat.com.

The event will take place for the first time this year at The Marriott Bloor Yorkville, 90 Bloor Street East, in the Forest Hill Ballroom (capacity 450 seats). Tickets will be free to the public, and can be reserved at Eventbrite. A selection of books by all publishers and creators will be available for sale at the event courtesy of Festival sponsor The Beguiling Books & Art.

Following the event, the public is invited to attend the official “Welcome To TCAF” party at The Pilot Tavern, 22 Cumberland Street, sponsored by Conundrum Press’ 20th Anniversary.